Thread-controlling mechanism for knitting-machines



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E. J. I'RAlIOK. THREAD CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES. No.500,123. Patented June 27, .1893.

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E. J. FRANGK. THREAD CONTROLLING MEGHANISM FOR KNITTING MAGHINES. -No.500,123. Patented June 27, 1893.

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Unrrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EMIL J. FRANOK, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE NATIONALAUTOMATIC KNITTER COMPANY, OF SAME RISTOWVN, PENNSYLVANIA.

PLACE, AND NOR- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.500,123, dated June 27, 1893.

Application filed August 22, 1892.

To all whom, it Wtcty concern:

Be it known that I, EMIL J. FRANCK, a citizen of the United States,residing at the city of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia andState of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Thread-Controlling Mechanism for Knitting- Machines, of which thefollowing is a specification. 1

My present invention is applicable to a circular knitting machineprovided with a thread carrier to which is imparted either a rotarymovement or a movement of rotary reciprocation.

The principal objects of my present invention are, first, to provide asimple, durable, efficient and comparatively inexpensive device vforautomatically supplying an extra thread to the thread carrier and forwithdrawing the extra thread therefrom; second, to provide such a devicewith efficient means for taking up the slack in the extra thread when itis broken and for releasing the portion so taken up as soon as the extrathread is again fed to the needles; and third, to provide elficientmechanism for automatically taking up the portions of the main thread orthreads which are slackened by reason of the excessive range of rotaryreciprocating motion or over throw that is imparted to the threadcarrier.

My invention, stated in general terms, consists of a thread controllingdevice comprising a fixed frame or housing provided with athread guide,clamping mechanism for the extra thread or threads, a detent for nippingthe main thread or threads, a pivotal take-up and slackener carrying theextra thread or threads, a spring take-up having one extremity inengagement with the main thread or threads and the other extremityattached to the take-up and slackener, and rods for operating thetake-up and slackener and the clamping mechanism; and my inventionfurther consists in the improvements hereinafter described and claimed.

The nature, scope and characteristic features of my invention will bemore fully understood from the following description taken Serial No.443.719. (N0 model.)

in connection with the accompanying draw- 5c ings forming part hereof;and in which- Figure l, is an elevational view showing a threadcontrolling device embodying features of my invention in applicationtoaknitting machine and also showing the parts of the device in positionfor excluding an extra thread or threadsand for permitting of thecontinuous feed of the main thread or threads. Fig. 2, is a similar viewof the thread controlling device showing the parts thereof in positionfor admitting an extra thread or threads and for effecting a proper takeup of the main thread or threads to compensate for the excessive travelof the thread carrier when it is moved with a rotary reciprocatingmotion. .65 Fig. 3, is a top or plan view of the same,but showing thespring take up arm broken away. Fig. 4, is a detached view drawn to anenlarged scale and illustrating the main thread controlling detent andits accessories.

In the drawings I have illustrated my invention in application to aknitting machine of the type set forth in my application for LettersPatent of the United States filed on the 4th dayof November, 1892, andserially numbered 451,017, but it must be borne in mind that my presentinvention is applicable to other types of knitting machines.

Referring to the drawings a, is a portion of the main frame of aknitting machine.

I), is a thread-carrier adapted to move in unison with the cam-ring b,and either a retary motion around the needles may be imparted to thethread-carrier and cam-ring as occurs in the production of knittedtubes, or a reciprocating rotary motion across certain of the needlesmay beimparted to the threadcarrier and cam-ring as occurs in thefabrication of the heel and toe portions of stockings and socks. 0

In practice the distance traversed by the thread-carrier I), back andforth across the heel needles always exceeds the space occupied by theheel needles, so that the thread is laid onto the heel needles when thethread- 5 carrier is traveling in one direction and is carried beyondthe needles and back before it is again laid onto the needles by thereverse motion of the thread-carrier, and the portion of the thread thusslackened is exceedingly apt to become tangled.

Having thus described such parts and in- 5 dicated such peculiarities inthe mode of operation of one type of knitting machine, as are necessaryfor a proper explanation of my invention, I will now proceed to describea thread controlling, take-up and tension device embodying features ofthe latter.

In the drawings a, is a post projecting upward from the main-frame a.

c, is a bracket adjustably connected with the post a, by means of asplit ring and its complementalset-screw o. This bracket 0, is slottedas at 0 arid is provided with a thread-guide c upwardly projecting lugsc and c, a lip 0 and a pin 0 for purposes to be presently described.

d, is a clamping-arm pivotally mounted on the pin 0 and adapted toco-opcrate with the lip 0 d, is a rod adjustably connected with the arm(I, by means of twin collars d e, is a take up and slackener armpivotally connected with the pin .0 and afforded a range of play throughthe slot c, of the. One extremity of this arm e is bracket 0. providedwith an eye 6, for the reception of the extra thread or threads 00, andthe other extremity thereof is pivotally connected with a rod 6 The luga is provided with an eye 0 for the reception of the extra thread orthreads 3 5 m, and the lug c, is provided with an eye 0 forthe receptionof the main thread or threads y, and with a pin c.

f, is a detent pivotally connected with the log 0, and provided with aneyef, for the reception of the main thread or threads y, and with acheek f adapted to co-operate with the pin o ,in order to nip and retardthe feed of the main thread or threads y.

This detent f, may be counterbalanced or the.

end f, may, as in the present instance, be slightly heavier than the endf; in either case the position of the detent depends upon and iscontrolled by the direction in which the main thread or threads is orare led away from the detent. a a

s, is a spring take up arm having one extrernity thereof conn'ected'withthe arm a, and having the other extremity thereof provided with a threadeye .9, for the reception of the main thread or threads g, are porcelainthimbles or linings inserted into the thread eyes 0 and s, and threadguide 0 in order to afiord a smooth and du rable surface for the passageof the threads.

The rods (1 and c constitute means for actuating the arms at and e, andthese rods (1' and 6 are operated through the intervention of suitableconnections by the reversing gear that causes a rotary or areciprocating rotary motion to be imparted to the cam-ring Z), andthread guide 12. Many different types of such connections and reversinggear may be employed for this purpose, but the same constitute no partof my invention. However, in my said application (Serial No. 451,017) Ihave shown and described a type of such mechanism that has been foundpractically efficient.

The mode of operation of the hereinbefore described thread-controlling,take-up and tension mechanism, is as followsz-The main thread or threadsy, pass from the bobbin y, through the eye 0 between the pin 0", andcheek f3, and thence through the eyes f and s, and the thread guide 0The extra thread or threads as, pass from the bobbin 0:,

through the eye a", over-the lipc through I the eye e, and thence intothe thread-guide A c. From the thread-guide c, the main thread orthreads y, with or without the extra threads or, pass to thethread-carrier b, and are by it laid onto the needles. The samemechanism that imparts a rotary motion to the cam-ring b, andthread-carrier b, in order to cause the the fabrication of a tubularweb, may be caused to draw the rod (1', downward and to shift the rod e,upward into the positions shown. in Fig. 1. Underthese circumstancesthe extra thread as, is firmly held between the lip c and armcl,andhence is not laid onto the needles, and the main thread 11 ispermitted to be drawn or fed continuously from the bobbin y, and laidonto the needles by the thread-carrier b. The same mechanism thatimparts a reciprocating rotary motion to the cam-ring b, andthread-carrier b, in order to efiect the production of a flat web may beavailed of for shifting the rod d, upward and for drawing the rod edownward into the positions shown in Fig. 2. Under these circumstancesthe arms 61 and e, are both shifted upward. The upward motion of the armd, releases the extra thread at, and the upward motion of the arm 6,slackens the same, so that the extra thread at, twines about orotherwise engages the main thread y, and travels with it to thethread-carrier b, and is laid onto theneedles. The upward motion of thearm e, also brings'the springs, into action. This spring 5, tends totake-up the slack in the main thread y, and the tension thus induced inthe main thread y, tends to cause the detent f, to be turnedjnto theposition shownin Fig. 2. in order to cause the main thread 1 I to benipped or held between the pin c ,andthe cheek f traveling across theneedles in one direction ithe spring 8, is overcome and pulled down,

When the thread-carrier b, is

the detent f, is turned downward as shown in Fig. 1, and the main thready, is continuously drawn from the bobbin y, and laid onto the needles.However, the thread-carrier b, travels beyond the needles, ashas beenhereinabove explained, "so that more thread is drawn from the bobbin y,than is laid onto the needles. During the commencement of the returnstroke of the thread-carrier b, and while it is approaching the needles,the main thread is slackened and the excessive quantity of thread thatwas drawn from the bobbin and not laid onto the needles is taken up bythe spring 8, it being understood that the detentf, prevents the threadfrom being drawn from the bobbin y, while the spring 3, is'mov- 111gupward. As soon as the thread-carrier comes opposite the needles uponits return stroke the spring 3, is drawn down into position forpermitting of the free or continuous feed of the main thread from thebobbin as shown in Fig. 1.

The above described operation is repeated at the completion of one andat the com meme- 4 ment of another oscillation ofthe thread-carrier, andthus the excessive feed of the main thread due to the over-throw orexcessive travel of the thread-carrier is compensated for or taken up bythe spring 3, and controlled by the detent f. When a rotary motion isagain imparted to the thread-carrier b, the rod d, is shifted downwardinto the position shown-in Fig. 1, and thus clamps and stops the feed ofthe extra thread x,with the result that the extra thread is subjected totension and is thus caused to be broken by the moving thread carrier ata point near the needles. At the same time the rod 6 is shifted upwardand the arm 6', is turned downward, and

this motion of the arm 6, causes the broken end of the extra thread tobe drawn up clear of the needles and into position for re-engagementwith the main threads at the proper time and in the manner hereinaboveset forth.

Having thus described the nature and objects of my invention, what Iclaim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is- 1. A threadcontrolling device for a knitting machine comprising a fixed frame orhousing, a thread-guide, a .pivotal arm for clamping the extra thread, apivotal slackener and take-up arm for the extra thread, a spring take-uparmhaving one end attached to the slackener and take-up arm, and theother end in engagement with the mainthread, a detent for themain-thread,and rods for shifting said arms, substantially as and forthe purposes set forth. 2. A thread controlling device for a knittingmachine comprising a thread guide, a fixed frame or housing, a clampingarm pivoted at one extremity to said frame or housing and adapted toclamp the extra thread or threads, a detent adapted to nip the mainthread or threads, a thread slackener and take-up arm pivoted betweenitsextremities to the frame or housing and having one end carrying theextra thread, a spring take-up arm mounted at or near the fulcrum of theslackener and engaging the main thread or threads, and rods foroperating the other end of the slackener and take-up arm and the freeend of the clamping-arm, substantially as and for the purposes setforth.

3. In a thread controlling device for knitting machines, a detentadapted to nip the main thread, incombination with a slackener andtake-up arm for the extra thread and a spring take-up arm attached tothe slackeuer and engaging the main thread, the construction being suchthat the detent is turned out of action when the slackener and take-uparm is down and is in action when the slackener and take-up arm is up,substantially as set forth.

4. In a thread controlling device for knitting machines, a fixed housingor' frame, a pivotal arm carrying the extra thread and provided at ornear its fulcrum with a spring carrying at its free extremity the mainthread, in combination with a pivotal detent adapted to nip the mainthread when the arm is up and to disengage the same when the arm isdown, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. In a thread controlling device for knitting machines, a housing orframe provided with a lug, a thread eye in said lug, a detent pivotallyconnected with said lug and provided with a thread-eye for the mainthread,

in combination with a slackener and take-up arm carrying the extrathread and provided witd a take-up spring arm having at its free end aneye through which the .main thread passes, substantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

6. In a thread controlling device for knitting machines, a fixed housingor frame provided with a lug and a pivotal arm, a rod for actuating saidarm, a thread eye in said lug, a detent pivotally connected with thelugand provided with a thread eye, a stop for the detent, and a take-upspring 'having one extremity applied to said arm at or near the fulcrumthereof and the other extremity provided with an eye through which themain thread passes, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. Athread controlling device for knitting machines, comprising a frameor housing carried by a standard on the bed-plate and provided with athread guide, a detent and its complemental back-stop, a pivotalclamping arm for the extra thread, a pivotal take-up arm and slackenerfor the extra thread, a take-up'spring applied to the take-up arm andslackener near the fulcrum thereof and having its free extremity inengagement with the main-thread,and rods for shifting the clamping andtake-up arms and slackener, substantially as and for the purposes setforth.

8. A thread controlling device for knitting machines, comprising a frameor housing provided with a thread guide and lugs and a lip,

thread eyes in said lugs, a detent and its complemental stop pin fornipping the main thread, a pivotal clamping arm co-operating with saidlip to retard the extra thread, a pivotal slackener and take-up arm forthe extra thread, a take-up spring applied to the slackener and take-uparm near the fulcrum thereof and having an eye at its free end throughwhich the main thread passes, and rods for IIS shifting the clamping armand take-up arm and slackener, substantially as and for the purposes setforth.

9. A thread slackener and take-up device for knitting machinescomprising a pivotal arm having at its free extremity an eye for r theextra thread, a take-up spring applied to .the moving thread carrier tobreak it at or near the needles, a pivotal arm for taking up a loop orbightin the extra thread to draw the broken end thereof clear of theneedles and thread carrier and for slackening the extra thread to permitit to be carried by the 'main thread to the thread'carrier and needles,

and a rod for operating the pivotal arm, substantially as and. for thepurposes set forth. ,11. The combination, in a thread controllingdevice, of a thread carrier a clamping arm for retarding the extrathread and thus causing themoving thread carrier to break it at or nearthe needles, a detent for the mainthread, a pivotal arm for taking upthe extra thread to draw the broken end thereof clear of the needles andthread carrier and for slackening the extra thread to permit it to becarried to the needles and thread carrier, and a spring connected at oneextremity thereof to said arm and having the other extremity thereof inengagement with the main thread,

and a rod for operating the pivotal arm,snb-

stantially as and for thepurposes set forth.

In witness whereof'I have hereunto set my signature in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

EMIL J; FRANOK. Witnesses:

THOMAS M. SMITH, RICHARD O. MAXWELL.

